Review of O (2001) by Mandy V — 23 Sep 2010

'O', a modern day "Othello", brings Shakespeare's turbulent and tragic tale to the most unlikely of places; a prep boarding school. Directed by none other than Delmar from 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?', Tim Blake Nelson was able to present us with a story we all know and still have us on the edge of our seat wondering what the characters were going to do next.

The film stars Mekhi Phifer, Josh Hartnett, Julia Stiles, and Rain Phoenix (yes Joaquin's sister). It was supposed to be released in 1999, but due to the films subject material and the horrific events of Columbine, the film was pushed back 2 years in an attempt to give people some time.

Phifer (Othello/Odin) steals the show as the all-star that never thinks he's good enough in a world that he thinks he doesn't belong in. Josh Hartnett's portrayl of Iago aka Hugo is frightening.

The way he becomes a puppet master and just sets all these little pawns into motion with no remorse or doubt in his mind about what he is trying to accomplish is almost "Norman Bates" like. I recall thinking that there were several times throughout the film I could see sprinkles of inspiration from such characters radiating from him.

I was very surprised how well this movie ultimately was and I am glad that directors are taking a chance in trying to bring 400 year old stories to the heads of production companines and reminding them that these are the greatest stories ever told.

That men like Shakespeare are the reason that this art form exists and that his messages (though bleak and depressing) are the foundation for every movie or story or play that has ever been told since him.